Journey, Sky and Edith Finch designers form fully remote studio Gardens
Its goal is to create online games that foster rich interactions between players
A group of designers whose credits include Journey, What Remains of Edith Finch and Sky: Children of the Light have formed a new studio called Gardens.
Functioning as a fully remote studio, but based primarily in Portland and Los Angeles, Gardens was co-founded by president and creative director Chris Bell, technical director Lexie Dostal and narrative director Stephen Bell.
Its goal is to create online games that foster meaningful multiplayer interactions and encourage players to be considerate of each other and world around them.
Likewise, the studio aims to offer a healthy experience for its employees, promising to put “transparency, health, and an inclusive work environment first, with equitable pay, mentorship, and a continued commitment to diversify the voices within”.
The wider Gardens team includes executive producer Sarah Sands (Fullbright), lead artist Ryan Benno (Spider-Man, Ratchet & Clank), principal engineer Rose Dale (Skyrim, Fallout 4), senior engineer Roldán Melcon (Blaseball, Where Cards Fall), gameplay engineer Tonia Beglari (Monster Hunter World: Iceborne XR Walk), and art director Leighton Milne (Ashen, The Hobbit).
“With Gardens, we wanted to create a studio that cares as much about the health, happiness, and wellbeing of its team members as we do the craftsmanship of the games we create together,” said co-founder Bell.
“Our top priority is making sure our teammates enjoy their lives and are given the tools and resources to grow while creating compelling, well-crafted, thoughtful games that cultivate novel shared experiences between players online.”
Gardens is currently recruiting for multiple art and engineering positions.
